The people behind the scenes in TotalEnergies’ racing operations

What are your respective roles?

Thomas. I'm multi-energies technical manager in the racing department based in Paris. My role is to coordinate effectively all our technical activities related to car, motorbike and truck racing. In the FIA WEC for example, this involves leading the development of specially-adapted fuels but it also means making sure that everything goes smoothly with the promoter as regards the delivery of fuel, as well as quality controls before and after the race. I'm also responsible for all the other energies used in racing, whether that be hydrogen, batteries, lubricants, other fluids related to the batteries, electrical charge and so on. In our portfolio of partnerships, there are some championships where we are the title partner and official fuel supplier and others where we have agreements with individual teams. I also tend to travel to events quite regularly because in the field is where you get the best feedback on our products in use.

Corentin. Like Jérôme, I'm based in Givors, near Lyon, at TotalEnergies Additives and Fuels Solutions. My role is to supervise all the trackside racing operations of our entity, but I am also more specifically seconded to our FIA WEC partner, Peugeot Sport, who compete in the championship with its two 9X8 Hypercars. For Peugeot Sport, we really supply all the lubricants – for the engine, the gearbox and the differentials – so I’m the engineer made available to be able to perform real-time analyses. As soon as the car comes into the pits, either in testing or during a race, we take a sample of the various lubricants from different places on the car. We then analyse the samples using a rotating disc electrode spectrometer for which we only need a two-millilitre sample. The idea is to identify the metals contained in the sample in order to assess wear on the metal parts. Due to our extensive experience, we have a lot of data and a very large database, enabling us to determine with great accuracy whether or not a specific component is in good condition or not, and whether the wear is normal or abnormal. For normal wear, there is no problem. If there is abnormal wear, my role is to alert the engineers or engine technicians at Peugeot Sport. It is a really useful decision-making tool when there is a doubt about the condition of a mechanical component!

Jérôme. I'm in charge of inspections for the fully-sustainable Excellium Racing 100 biofuel that we provide to teams taking part in the FIA WEC and the ELMS, but it is also something that we do in the GT World Challenge. It’s generally at the end of qualifying or after the race, during technical checks and scrutineering, but it can sometimes be required during the race. The FIA stewards select the cars that must undergo fuel analysis. Typically, there are three or four chosen from each class. We use a device that was developed in-house for use in F1 for that; it’s called a gas (or vapour-phase) chromatograph. The output of the inspection process is a chromatogram (also known as a print, like a fingerprint), which details the fifty or so components of the tested fuel. As we manufacture the fuel ourselves, we know its exact composition and so we are able to compare it in a very precise manner.

What is your contribution to operations?

Thomas. My role is that of a project manager but our organisation is designed to make use of knowledge from the various specialist areas. So that could be our Givors entity for special fuels, Saft for batteries, the Gas Mobility teams for hydrogen fuel cell technology or CReS – our research centre in Solaize – for EV fluids. They are the real experts and above all, we want to get across something that is a key value for us: the people that develop racing products also develop products for production vehicles driven by our day-to-day customers. There is a great deal of synergy at TotalEnergies between racing and production.

Corentin. Over a racing weekend, we perform close to fifty analyses. Supported by our considerable expertise, it takes less than two minutes to complete an analysis. We are able to provide results very quickly, so there is real added value because the sessions tend to come after one another in quick succession. It can really make a difference, especially as potentially significant sporting results may be obtained for Peugeot Sport by ensuring maximum reliability.

Jérôme. The aim is to ensure fuel quality by checking that nothing has been added to the fuel for various reasons, thus guaranteeing sporting fairness among the competitors. For a full FIA WEC season, we supply close to eight hundred thousand litres of fuel. It has to come from a single, unique batch. It must be absolutely identical all year, meaning the teams get the same fuel in Qatar in February at the opening round as they do in the United States in September. We therefore only produce one batch, which we then check carefully every month. Similarly, each time that the fuel is prepared for delivery at an event, we check it again to provide assurances to the teams that it has not changed.

What do you find exciting about your job?

Thomas. My job forces me to be genuinely versatile and to have technical know-how on various topics. That’s what makes it interesting. Having said that, it’s also a major advantage for our partners. Whatever area Peugeot Sport need expertise in when they call us, for example, whether it's about gearbox or engine lubricant, fuel, battery or battery coolant, their point of contact is the same. My role is to coordinate their requests, so that we can provide a structured, global response and then support them in the development and use of the products.

Corentin. Experiencing the race within the team, especially as I eat, sleep and breathe all things Peugeot! I really feel part of the team. I am also with the team for the eight test sessions held throughout the year. It’s a genuinely unique experience. I feel that I play a key role in the performance of the team.

Jérôme. Lots of things are interesting because you are right in the middle of the FIA inspection teams. We have such a very rewarding relationship with all the stakeholders, both with people in the teams and from the organisation. You learn a lot and we help others to learn about our products, with which they are often unfamiliar. You see how everyone works. You really do get an insider experience of the world of motorsport. We’re also not just here to perform the fuel analyses at the end of qualifying or after the races. For example, cars take part in other championships where fuels other than ours are potentially used and sometimes the fuel tank can be incorrectly rinsed. If the team has the slightest doubt about its fuel, we run an analysis at the start of the event to see if the tank is totally clean. That way, the team avoids being disqualified for using the wrong fuel. Prevention is better than cure.